Chris Stevenson (centre) receiving the award last night.
Best Village of the Year
Every Year the Rural Community Council of Essex holds a competition to determine the best Village of the Year. The award is based on the activities and work of the community as a whole, not just the Parish Council:
This is the only competition of its kind in Essex that focuses on the whole community rather than on the work of the Parish Council or one particular organisation or amenity. We will be looking to reward villages of all sizes that are doing most to enhance the quality of life for their inhabitants.
If you miss out on the guided Bluebell walk today, why not come to the Dawn Chorus walk tomorrow morning? Led by Steve Hallam, this walk offers the chance to see nightingales and many other brilliant choristers. Previous years’ walks have seen and/or heard over 20 species, for example, in 2013 the following list was collected:
Tawny Owl.
Whitethroat.
Robin.
Nightingale.
Blackbird.
Wren.
Pheasant.
Rook.
Wood Pigeon.
Blackcap.
Blue Tit.
Chaffinch.
Canade Goose.
Chiffchaff.
Goldcrest.
Mallard.
Jackdaw.
Great Tit.
Buzzard.
Green Woodpecker.
Greater Spotted Woodpecker.
The walk will start from the Old Church at 3:45am on Sunday 8th May. You should bring warm clothing, stout footwear, a flask of hot drink and a torch – please note that the walk will only go ahead weather permitting.
If you haven’t been on one of these walks before you will find it a rewarding and delightful experience at a very special time for the wood’s varied wildlife; if you would like to know more then check out this report from the 2013 dawn chorus walk.
The Friends of Hillhouse Wood, in conjunction with Woodland Trust, invite you to join Join Steve Hallam for their annual Bluebell Open Day and Spring Nature Walk.
Nuthatches moved in to Hillhouse Wood about four years ago, having been absent for at least thirty years. They are lively and attractive birds who move in quick hops and short flights from branch to branch and are often seen running down a tree looking for food hidden in the bark. The RSPB describes them as follows: Continue reading “Nuthatches Moved In”
The morning of Saturday 27 February was cold, dank and a bit dismal – not at all inviting. So naturally 15 people turned out for the 2016 Winter Birds guided walk in Hillhouse Wood, West Bergholt. This was the largest number that I can recall for this walk. It is one of the most variable of the ones I lead, both in terms of what we see and how many attend. One year there was just two of us. I was glad to see that Linda Firmin, Jo’s widow, had turned up, as if there is anything to see she will spot it.
One of the curiosities of these walks is that the spot at which we congregate can produce as many birds as anywhere else on the walk. And so it proved to be this year. While we were waiting (and no one was paying any attention to birds), I could hear Mistle Thrush, Greenfinch, Robin, Jackdaw, Chaffinch and Dunnock all either singing or calling. This is also one of the better places to see one of the local Buzzards (how nice that phrase sounds!) over Stitchings Wood, although we were not favoured with a sighting on this walk. They probably thought the weather was too uninviting.
The track to the wood did not produce much more than we had seen at the old church, just one or two Great and Blue Tits. As I have done more of these walks I’ve learned that one of the things I can do when there’s not much to see on the day is to talk about what you can see at other times at various points. So along the track non-existent Yellowhammers and Meadow Pipits came to my rescue, along the lines of ‘during summer, this is a good place to see ….. (believe me, honest!)’.
Tom Heap viewing the ‘Countryfile Tree’ after application of BioChar by Air Spade to help stave off Ash Dieback
As we entered the wood I was able to point out the now famous (to me, at any rate) ‘Countryfile tree’, around which Tom Heap had demonstrated how air spading with biochar could be a potential solution to the Ash Dieback disease. In fact the fruits of his labours to disturb the soil were still evident. Fortunately a good number of the group were Countryfile fans and had seen this piece in the previous week’s programme. Andrew Savage, the Chair of the Friends, was also able to point out the work done by the previous work party to clear Reedmace from the top pond. It is a constant battle to keep part of the pond clear; the best we can do is aim for a ‘score draw’.
The wood was relatively quiet, bird wise, so the ‘this is a good place to see’ technique was deployed a few more times, as various absent wild flowers, Nuthatches, Siskins and Nightingales came to my rescue. One of the oddities of winter wood birdwatching is that all can be quiet one moment, and then suddenly the wood becomes alive as a travelling band of birds moves through right where you are. If only I could predict when and where this will happen! Eventually we came across such a band, albeit a small one. Great, Blue and Long tailed tits were seen. And then, the hoped for highlight of the walk, not one but two Nuthatches. I’ve mentioned before how these moved into the wood about four years ago, having been absent for at least the thirty years I’ve been here. So it’s always great to see them, and they are a lively and attractive bird to see, to boot. Luckily these two provided relatively close and clear views, although they clearly hadn’t read the books about how they run down a tree (to avoid direct competition with Treecreepers, which run upwards). These two were running both up and down – that’s cheating, in my book.
The wood had one more pleasure to show us: in the tops of the Alders by the stream there were no Siskins (even for Linda’s sharp eyes), but we did spot a Goldcrest high up in the tops (if you see a ‘Wren’ that high above the ground, odds on it’s a Goldcrest). And so back to the old church, and then to a much more inviting hot cup of tea and radiator!
The first guided walk of the year at Hillhouse Wood takes place this coming weekend (Saturday 27th February), when Steve Hallam leads the Winter Bird Walk 2016. Walkers, who should meet at the Old Church at 10am (weather permitting), wearing stout footwear and warm clothing, can expect to see a range of resident woodland and meadow species as well as some winter visitors. You are also advised to bring a flask of hot drink with you.
Dawn Chorus walks in previous years have seen as many as 20 species registered, most being native, so who knows how many you might see with the added ‘winter visitors’?
It’s now twenty one years since the Friends was formed and, since then, they have worked closely with this piece of ancient woodland and the Woodland Trust. The 21st AGM of the Friends of Hillhouse Wood will be held on Wednesday 9th December in the Orpen Hall, Lexden Road, starting at 7:30pm.
We are happy for anyone to attend our AGM so, even if you are not a member, just turn up. The only thing you won’t be able to do is vote! As well as an illustrated talk you’ll hear about what’s been going on in the wood over the last year. This includes the various public events as well as the achievements of the working parties.
Following the formal business there will be an illustrated talk by Darren Tansley, Water for Wildlife Officer for Essex Wildlife Trust, on the subject of “The Mammals of Essex”.
“Mammals of Essex” is the subject of the talk being given at the Friends AGM
Any enquiries for more information to M.R. Pluck, Honorary Secretary, on 01206 514173.
Steve Hallam reports on the Autumn Fruits walk around Hillhouse Wood and the surrounding area on the 18th October 2015:
In mid-October I led the third of our Autumn Fruits walks. These walks focus on berries and nuts, but also cover whatever else we find along the way. Thirteen people came on the walk this year, which was pleasing bearing in mind the uninviting weather at the time.
It might reasonably be thought that, as this walk is primarily plant based, the same things would be seen each year. Indeed this is what I had anticipated. However it transpires that nature and predictability are not natural ‘fellow travellers’. This year this worked slightly to our disadvantage, as several finds in 2014 were absent this time. Chief among these was a spectacular display of wild hops, of which there was now no sign at all. White bryony was another fruit that could not be found. In general the numbers of berries were lower than in the two previous years. The haws and hips were relatively thin in the hedgerows, as were the delicate Spindle tree berries. The black berries of the Dogwood were nearly completely absent; in fact it was only through diligent searching by party members that a few were found.
Despite these absences, the area in and around Hillhouse Wood is so productive that we still ran out of time before we had stopped to see and talk about all the berries, nuts and flowers that are visible at this time of year. The walk pays most attention to aspects of the countryside such as the ways in which plants were once used by people, how they can indicate the line of historic boundaries, the mythological beliefs that were associated with certain plants, and the tricks they use to survive. Flowers such as the humble and unspectacular looking Yarrow or St. John’s Wort were once important to previous generations, used to cure ailments and protect crops from disease. Our two Guelder rose shrubs put on their normal spectacular display, while the Ivy berries were maturing in their normal abundance. Of the two, the latter were of much greater use to people, and have more interesting stories to tell. One of its uses was to protect households from malicious goblins, especially at Christmas time.
Blackberries have been abundant this year, although largely over by now. We were also able to find Woody nightshade and the related Black nightshade, the former a climber but the latter an upright herbaceous plant of disturbed ground. Two strands of Black bryony were found, the only member of the Yam family to grow in Britain. A few Holly berries were tucked away, and one Honeysuckle plant which was simultaneously showing berries and flowers. In the wood the Sweet chestnuts had produced their normal heavy crop of well protected nuts.
So, all in all, we had a very successful walk which I trust everyone enjoyed.
In mid-October, I led the third of our Autumn Fruits walks. These walks focus on berries and nuts, but also cover whatever else we find along the way. Thirteen people came on the walk this year, which was pleasing bearing in mind the uninviting weather at the time.
Nature predictable?
It might reasonably be thought that, as this walk is primarily plant-based, the same things would be seen each year. Indeed this is what I had anticipated. However, it transpires that nature and predictability are not natural ‘fellow travellers’. This year this worked slightly to our disadvantage, as several finds in 2014 were absent this time. Chief among these was a spectacular display of wild hops, of which there was now no sign at all. White bryony was another fruit that could not be found. In general, the numbers of berries were lower than in the two previous years. The haws and hips were relatively thin in the hedgerows, as were the delicate Spindle tree berries. The blackberries of the Dogwood were nearly completely absent; in fact, it was only through diligent searching by party members that a few were found.
Historic references
Despite these absences, the area in and around Hillhouse Wood is so productive that we still ran out of time before we had stopped to see and talk about all the berries, nuts and flowers that are visible at this time of year. The walk pays most attention to aspects of the countryside such as the ways in which plants were once used by people, how they can indicate the line of historic boundaries, the mythological beliefs that were associated with certain plants, and the tricks they use to survive. Flowers such as the humble and unspectacular looking Yarrow or St. John’s wort were once important to previous generations, used to cure ailments and protect crops from disease.
Our two Guelder rose shrubs put on their normal spectacular display, while the Ivy berries were maturing in their normal abundance. Of the two, the latter were of much greater use to people, and have more interesting stories to tell. One of its uses was to protect households from malicious goblins, especially at Christmas time.
Yams?
Blackberries have been abundant this year, although largely over by now. We were also able to find Woody nightshade and the related Black nightshade, the former a climber but the latter an upright herbaceous plant of disturbed ground. Two strands of Black bryony were found, the only member of the Yam family to grow in Britain. A few Holly berries were tucked away, and one Honeysuckle plant which was simultaneously showing berries and flowers. In the wood, the Sweet chestnuts had produced their normal heavy crop of well-protected nuts.
So, all in all, we had a very successful walk which I trust everyone enjoyed.
Next Sunday, 18th October, sees Steve Hallam leading an Autumn Fruits walk around Hillhouse Wood. This walk will seek out berries, soft fruit, nuts & seeds along with any flowers & birds that might crop up en-route. Steve will explain how these fruits have been used by humans and animals, the folklore about them, which ones should not be eaten – and what will happen to you if you do! You should expect to see around 20 types of berries, fruits and nuts.
The walk will take in Hillhouse Wood and surrounding hedgerows, and will thus be a little longer than normal. Strong boots or wellies should be worn, as we may encounter long wet grass!
If you want to join us, met at the Old Church at 2pm (weather permitting).
The walk is arranged by the Friends of Hillhouse Wood in conjunction with the Woodland Trust.
